The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1887-10-25
A MYSTERIOUS TOUCH.
A Victims Choice as Between
Rheumatism and Ghosts.

I'm my researches through some old
manuscripts, / recently CHANGED upon
the following story. AS yet can not
definitely fix the authorship, but my
suspicious point all in one direction.
Should they be realized after further
investigation, L shall have no heSitancy
IN giving his name. Here is the story,
precisely as it appeared in manuscript.
which apparently has never before
seen the light:
1T has long been theory of mine
that there is natural explanation for
every occurrence, however out of the
course of nature it may seem to the
casual observer. Acting upon this
theory | have devoted years to the
study of so-called supernaturalism.
Little has been published upon the sub
ject that l have not read. My library
IS filled with such works as Owens
Footballs on the Boundary of Another
World Bulwer's Strange Story
Davis Great Harmonia,' Edmonds'
'Spiritualism.' and the writings of
Swedenborg. From the weird legends
of the Hartz Mountains to Drummond's
Natural Law in the Spiritual World
there is little with which I am not
familiar. Any thing bearing even in
directly upon supernaturalism or the
spirit world is of interest to me.
1.-The study of myths, fairies. ghosts
and COLLINS is one of rare fascination.
| One enjoys a skillfully-told ghost story,
even while he laughs at the idea of
ghost. Who dares not experience a
thrill of interest upon reading Dickens
Thirteenth Juror The Signalman.'
or Bulwer's The Haunted and the
Hsunters p Human nature naturally
inclines to the love of the marvellous
and supernatural, and the rehearsal of
such tales has made certain writer's
famous.
II can not say that my study of
supernaturalism has led to any definite
result. have not made any remarka-
BILE discoveries, but have had some
experiences that mystified me. Among
them was one of apparently an mex
plicable nature, which it is here my
purpose to relate.
81 remember once, some years ago,
while seated in my study, bending
over desk. hand was laid upon my
shoulder. 1t was my wife's custom
(my late hours bothered Laura) to
rouse me at times in this manner, and
when | turned i'm answer to the sum-
mons, it was with the expectation of
seeing her behind my chair. Turning
slowly about L answered: Coming,
Laura To my amazement the room
was empty! | had heard no football.
no voice, but had merely felt the touch
OF hand upon my shoulder; gentle,
it is true; light, as Laura's touch
always is, but unmistakable; / had
not been in a dose, it was not fancy;
i had been touched by hand.
ii confess that upon turning around
and finding nothing, was startled. L
esat moment in thought, seeking to
bring the occurrence within the range
of comprehension. My brain was
clear. every faculty active. Going to
the door, opened it and called up the
hallway i'm low voice:
'Laurar
'sNo answer.
81 called again. my voice echoing
strangely. The hour was late. Laura
was evidently asleep.
81 resumed my seat at the desk, but
could not continue writing. My
thoughts were vague and scattered.
The mysterious touch upon the Shout
der filled me with strange emotions.
What explanation was there for itP No
human hand had touched ME. Had 1
felt the impress of spirit hand?
Ridiculous! L laughed outright at the
idea. Mystified. dissatisfied. | closed